Trying to transfer Elements 18 onto a new device

[joey_0841]

Hello,

I recently purchased a new PC as my old one does not support Windows 11. I am having trouble transferring my PS Elements and Premiere Elements onto my new machine. Originally I installed PS using a CD but my new device does not have a DVD drive. When I try to register the serial number on Adobe's website it says the serial number is already in use. I signed out of Adobe on my old machine but it still gives me the same error when I try to register. What are my next steps? I cannot afford to buy new programs anytime soon.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Joey, thanks for posting your question to this public discussion forum. I can confirm there is 0 registered software tites under the account you used to post. You will want to log in with the account you used to register Photoshop and Premiere Elements 2018 to gain access to the necessary installation files.

Please see https://adobe.ly/41rJSNM for information on how to request a password reset.

I would also recommend bookmarking https://adobe.ly/3ESJO0I which discusses how to manage and maintain any activations you have remaining for Photoshop and Premiere Elements 18, Joey. ^JW

[joey_0841]

When I got to Help > Sign Out, this is the email that I would sign out of.  I signed out and then re-signed in using the new sign-in method but I still am not able to access or download the software on my new PC.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

If you sign in under the account you used to post to this public discussion forum, Joey, then you won't have access to the software as that is not the account the software is registered under. Your original post stated that when you entered the serial number, it was already use and registered to another account.

You will need to log in under that account to gain access to the installation files and then later complete the activation process. Please see my previous post for information on how to request a password reset.^JW

[joey_0841]

Thank you for your patience Jeffrey. I checked and there are no Adobe accounts under my other emails. I was able to sign-in using this email account in Elements on my old computer. Is it possible to get a link to download Elements 18 and then try to register in the app instead of using the website? 

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

No, I'm sorry, Joey. The files are only available to the account the software is registered to. Please check any e-mail address you have used since 2018, when you previously registered the software. If you identify the account that you used to register the software, then you can complete the steps at https://adobe.ly/3XjjFi2 to request the software license be moved to the account you are currently using. This would also give you access to the installation files as described in https://adobe.ly/4bcwIaJ under the current account.

You can also click on https://adobe.ly/4bc31GJ to chat with a member of our support team who can help you locate the account that you used to register the software, Joey. Please be prepared with any other information you may have, such as phone numbers or commonly used e-mail addresses, and be prepared to confirm the registered information if you want to regain access to the account.

If the account can not be found and access is regained, Joey, then you will need to look for a new solution to edit your photos and videos in 2025. ^JW

[Nancy OShea]

Win11's new file system is different from previous PCs.  I found out that legacy software doesn't always perform well on it.  I budgeted for modern replacements to keep things simple.

Photoshop Elements 2025 (3 year license)
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html